Growing Algae
The three shellfish species raised by MVSG are filter feeders, meaning that they filter ambient water through their bodies and eat the food particles within. The shellfish we raise require several species of phytoplankton to eat in order to grow and thrive properly.
Multiple species of phytoplanktonic algae are grown in MVSG’s greenhouse to ensure that the shellfish we grow have a large enough food supply. The three algae species grown include: a high lipid strain of algae called Tetraselmis chui (“T-Chui”), a Tahitian strain of Isochrysis galbana (“Iso”), the diatoms (silicaecous life-forms) Thalassiosira weissfloggii, Chaetoceros graclis, and lastly a high lipid strain of Chaetoceros neogracili ("Chaet B").
The Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group produces thousands of liters of planktonic algae every season to ensure that the shellfish we grow have a comfortable enough food supply to thrive.
